Louisiana SB 414 by Senator Fred H. Mills, Jr. is dead. He and others worked hard on this legislation. In Northeast Louisiana Karen Cupit, Lisa Richardson and the Region 3 Watershed Committee worked hard on this initiative. No legislation is perfect. This legislation sought to add structure to statewide risk reduction efforts. The strategy provided for inland and coastal risk reduction. It assembled subject matter experts to manage, and it provided a mechanism for local and state leaders to inject their thoughts and concerns into the process.
As the Louisiana Gulf Coast changes, all of Louisiana must adapt. The time for talk is over. As a strategy, inland risk reduction does two things. 1) It protects families and business and 2) It prepares inland Louisiana to receive coastal populations and businesses as they migrate inland.
A statewide strategy that accounts for the loss of the coast and prepares inland Louisiana is needed. SB 414 put us on a path to develop a strategy. HB 606 would have matured and headed this direction out of necessity. Both are dead.
We will have to work harder to make sure the people of Louisiana have a voice as our geography and risk to all-hazards change.
Northeast Louisiana is committed to helping our coastal families. If a storm threatens the coast, we will be here.
Source: NOAA, FEMA, and Local knowledge
Tom M.
Provided by Hurricane Laura, NOAA
©2022 Tom Malmay
